Help leading my new milk goat with a leash tied to collar.

I haven't had a goat in 20 years - and here I am again - a milk goat owner. I just got the goat today - first time freshener, and I also have her doe kid (2 months old)- and they both have not been handled. I need to be able to lead them around - from the barn to the pasture, to the milking stand, etc. What is the best way to teach them about the leash? I have a collar on both of them now. They both dig their hoofs in the ground and refuse to budge (do I pull them along - push from behind, etc). She has never been milked, so the fun is just beginning!! Help!!! I have looked over the messages, and have learned a lot - thank you.

Answers

Hmmmm...How much time do you want to devote to this "project" :o) ?

I'd try associating the leash, milk stand, milking, etc... with "good
things" like (small amounts)of a grain mix that the momma goat is
used to! Baby will figure out how to walk with you just fine esp. if
momma is in the lead. We had no trouble at all getting our kids to
walk with us but there were four people and four goats doing this at
the same time. It seems that when we are consistant and gentle, the
goats quit fighting with us and learn pretty quick what we are
wanting. My son's little Oberhasli doe would go limp and flop on the
ground when he first tried to work with her in showmanship training.
I feared the worst at our county fair show- but you know, he kept on-
regardless- working her nearly every evening out in the pen, and she
eventually learned her way didn't work. She was a gem at the fair by
the way ...

Maybe as you develope a more trusting/less newly stressed goat she
will be more cooporative??? Let the doe drag the leash around with
her as she walks for a few minutes each day while you supervise, and
give me little mouthfuls of grain/leaves/a tortilla or two, etc...
and stroke her, while talking "sweet talk"?

As for the milking?? Do you have a sturdy milk stand with a grain
box? Make sure you have someone to help you- so that she won't fall
off the edge with her head still in the (whatever you call that head
holder part-stanchion??) That'll hold her head, and you can get her
used to you touching her. Expect her to balk- but keep working with
her- maybe milk one side and let the kid suckle the other side a few
times??? Hopefully you won't get kicked too hard for too long LOL!

Thanks for all of the advice. It's working. I'm being gentle,
patient, and firm. And the cereal has really worked for me. She
doesn't seem to like grain very much, but she likes Crispex and corn
chips. That's also how I got her to a possition to lock her in for
milking. And yes, I do have a sturdy stand. It's needed with her -
she fights milking.
Thanks again.

Just stand with her on the collar and you on the leash. She will pull
back until she reachs the end. Don't pull, just don't give any,
either, and look past or away from her. Just sit or act relaxed while
still maintaining control on the lead. If she freaks or digs her
heels in, let her, don't react much except to keep control. When she
calms down or seems to accept that she is on the end of a leash and
stops fighting, pull slightly, then slack. She will fight again, wait
until she stops and then repeat. Pull again, a little more fimly,
until she takes a step. The minute she takes a step, slack. Wait a
moment and repeat, always rewarding her by slacking on the rope when
she takes a step. The point is to make her understand that she is
only penalized when she pulls against the lead, but the pressure will
stop if she gives in to it. This may take a few half hour sessions
and a lot of patience, some are more resistant than others.

Do not ever just drag her along at the end of a rope whether she is
taking a few steps or not, that doesn't teach her anything except
that she hates being on a lead. You can try the grain, but only give
it to her when she takes a step, and slack the rope at the same time.
For me it is too many things to try to do at the same time, they may
start out the first time with grain but not afterwards.

It is also important never to chase a wild goat, instead you need to
earn it's trust by being calm and gentle when it comes up to you and
not frightening it. Maybe offer some grain and while she is eating
it, slowly ease your hand to her collar and clip her up to the lead.
This is how I do it, I dam riase nearly all our kids and so they
start out a little spooky but are all trained to lead by fair time.